All structures which are structurally unsafe, unsanitary, or
not provided with adequate egress, or which constitute a fire hazard,
or are otherwise dangerous to human life, or which in relation to
existing uses constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of
inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment
are, severally, for the purpose of this chapter, defined as "unsafe
structures." All such unsafe structures are hereby declared to be
illegal and shall be abated by repair and rehabilitation or by demolition
in accordance with the procedure of this chapter. Buildings and structures
may become unsafe by reason of damage by fire, the elements, age or
general deterioration. Vacant buildings not properly secured at doorways
and windows also serve as an attractive nuisance for young children,
who may be injured therein, as well as a point of congregation by
vagrants and transients. A dilapidated building may also serve as
a place of rodent infestation, thereby creating a health menace to
the community. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide for the
safety, health protection and general welfare of persons and property
in the Village of Caledonia by requiring such unsafe buildings to
be repaired or demolished and removed.
A certified copy of the resolution and order adopted by the
Village Board of Trustees pertaining to said unsafe structure shall
be:
A. Served upon the owner, agent, or person in control of such structure
in the same manner as prescribed for the service of a summons pursuant
to the Civil Practice Law and Rules;
B. Posted securely upon or at each entrance to said unsafe structure;
and
C. Filed in the office of the County Clerk.
In the event of the refusal or neglect of the person so notified to comply with said resolution and order of the Village Board of Trustees, and after hearing, the Village Board of Trustees shall provide for the demolition and removal of such unsafe structure either by Village employees or by contract. Except for emergencies, as provided in §
77-6 of this chapter, any contract for demolition and removal in excess of $5,000 shall be awarded by competitive bid.
All costs and expenses incurred by the Village in connection
with proceedings set forth in this chapter, including the cost of
actually making safe, securing or removing said dangerous and unsafe
condition, shall be assessed against the land on which the dangerous
or unsafe condition is or was located.